Special Sunday........

Sunday is always special because it is the only free-day in a busy & hectic week but today is extra special because it is the 'Father's day'.

Today is the 38th year since my dad gave birth to his eldest child, my sister, Chempaka Emalin. Being a dad for already 38 years with half a dozen children was not easy but we all grew up to be better than what my father had expected....... (or thats what we would like to believe hee).

Every year since childhood, mum will always gather the children to celebrate father's day with a get-together dinner or lunch. This year was no exception. The venue for this year was at an italian bistro, the Zucca @ Menara PGRM, Cheras. Upon arrival, we were greeted by the restaurant owner, Adlin whom recommended the chef special. We ordered almost half the menu and ate disgracefully without any regard to dieting.

Athough breaking the regular diet to celebrate our dad is a gesture of 'no holds barred' appreciation for him (as well as a reason to break the dieting), but any form of get-together luncheon or dining cannot expressed our love, appreciation and gratitude for a man that never complained or give up on his children... except for some thunderous screaming.

At 63, and a father for 38 years, we can only pray to the Almighty for your better health. There are time that we rebelled and there are time that we neglected you but there isnt a moment that we forgot the endless love and care you showered while raising us from child into adulthood.... even till today.

I remembered our first cinema trip when we watched 'the Superman' that left me fantasizing into becoming a superhero. I can still recall that moment you taught me to pray when i was 5 years old and our first Umrah when i was 15. I did not forget the first time you taught me to hold a golf club although i never picked up the hobby. We have such a good and great time that sometimes we forgot that we are already in our mid life. We can never be old with you pampering us always... It is impossible to even prepare or imagine for that one day.............. sub'hanallah.

Celebrating Father's Day is important but is only a small token of gratitude for a Dad that asked for nothing from his children except for happiness and health. If only love can be measure and the vocabulary is richer, then you will know how we all feel for you. There is no word that can express how much we all love you.. thank you for being what you are. I love you Happy Father's Day.

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Bank Negara, ABM, MAA..... & PEDA

On 12 June 2009, I received an invitation from Puan Sarina Said,Dep Director for the Central Bank of Malaysia (BNM) to attend a meeting with BNM that was requested by MAA. I attended the meeting on 15 June 2009 that was chaired by BNM Asst. Governor Dato' Muhammad Ibrahim. The Association of Banks in Malaysia (ABM) too attended the meeting and was represented by CIMB, AMBank, Public Bank, EON Bank, RHB Bank, Hong Leong Bank, Maybank Berhad and Alliance Bank. Dato' Aishah, the President of Malaysia Automotive Association (MAA) led the MAA council that was represented by Mitsubishi, Tan Chong, Proton, Perodua, Honda, Toyota and Daihatsu.

Although PEDA is already 11 years old, this was PEDA's first meeting with ABM and MAA together with BNM. I learn an important discovery, the approval or rejection period for Proton buyer's hire-purchase loan application should only take an average 1.5 days (subject to full documentation) as reported by the Association of Banks to the BNM survey.

This is indeed a good news for Proton Edar, Proton dealers as well as Proton customers especially during this economic downturn. Car Buyer should be able to get their car loan application status within a maximum of 48 hours.

PEDA will now conducts a monthly review with a sole objective to improve the car loan approval period for Proton buyer and determine: (1) the duration of loan approval or rejection and (2) the percentage of rejection. The outcome of the monthly survey will also act as an an economic indicator as the automotive sales industry is entirely dependent on the car buyer's loan approval/rejection percentage.

PEDA will email to BNM the statistical survey as requested, on Monday 22 June 2009. The outcome of the survey will also be made available to Proton network as well as the public via this blog.

PEDA is grateful and is pleased with BNM pro-activeness and sensitivity in the loan application predicament faced by Proton buyer. PEDA represent 70% of total proton sales in Malaysia or a total trade turnover (Proton dealers) of more than RM7billion per annum. PEDA is grateful to be included in BNM regular meetings.

The new driver of Malaysia under the stewardship of the Prime Minister YAB Dato Seri Najib Tun Razak as the Chancellor of the Exchequer had seen a pro-active transformation in various governmental bodies and especially the Central Bank of Malaysia.

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Fasfik @ Glomac

This week had been a busy week for Fasfik. It has been 2 years since Fasfik applied and submitted to become a vendor for TNB. TNB practices a strict appointment of vendor and it was tough to be shortlisted. The team from TNB visited and inspected Fasfik workshops twice before listing a long compliance that Fasfik had to adhere. Fasfik was also requested to submit a detailed pricing of our parts and services. Vendor application with a higher price will not be entertained.


On 15 June 2009, after 2 years, Fasfik was appointed a vendor and the vendor award presentation was held at the Wisma TNB, Jalan Timor by TNB Senior general manager Tuan Haji Md. Jailani Abas - Senior GM, Corporate Services Division. 2 years was a long but a worthwhile wait. Fasfik is thankful and grateful for the guidance and assistance extended by Tuan Haji Roslin, TNB General Manager (Logistic) and En Anas Ibrahim.

(Vendor award presentation by Tuan Haji Md Jailani Abas, TNB Senior GM)

Fasfik also participated in the Ministry of Human Resource "Train & Place" programme, a 'corporate social responsibility' sort of speak. Under the Train & Place programme, Fasfik undertake to train the unemployed Malaysians and offer them a job at the end of the training scheme. According to the 1st quarter 2009 economic report by the Ministry of Finance, the unemployed population is now close to 90,000



We had also run an internal sales drive incentive campaign to entice and reward our performing staff & branches. The highest sales performance for the 16 June 2009 was Fasfik @ Glomac located at G-G-07, Jalan SS6/16A, Dataran Glomac, Pusat Bandar Kelana Jaya , 47301 Petaling Jaya. Congratulation to Hassan @ Azahari and Isa Arshad.

(From left: Shafiq, Natasya, Ika, Rose, Armin, Hassan, Rashdan, Sanwa, Isa)

Hassan & Isa

At Fasfik, we recognised the importance of Fasfik crew members. Without our crew, there will not be any Fasfik. Fasfik will continue to participate in various training and re-training programme to further improve our services for the benefit of our customers.

Please do not hesitate to leave or provide us any feedback or comment at armin@fasfik.com




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Much ado about English...... and maids

It was a quiet weekend at home when everybody left for Melaka as a closing to the school holiday. I called a few friends to recommend some maid agencies to replace my existing maids that has been stealing from my house. I am deliberating recruiting maids from Philippines.

Thusfar, I had only employed maids from Indonesia and most of them have their own unique flaws. True that nobody is perfect but there must be a benchmark of the lowest grade. I could tolerate stupidity as I do not expect maids to be educated but maids that began stealing had crossed the line. Maids too have significant influence on the children (if the maid is meant to baby-sit). It is a major turn-off to see children grew up to speak Bahasa Malaysia in Indonesian dialect.

Filipino maids on the other hand were better preferred because of their fluency in English. Being farther away than Indonesia and lesser Filipino population in Malaysia, there is also less risk of them running away. I spoke to three friends whom had employed both Filipino and Indonesia maids. All three of them employed Filipino maids for the English speaking language. The quality of work and job performed are subjective.

While researching for Filipino maids, I discovered an embarrasing truth. There is a huge disparity in wages between the Indonesia and Filipino maid. The best marketing tool used by maid agencies to recommend for Filipino maids is the English speaking. The wages for Indonesia maids ranges between RM400 to RM500 per month but Filipino maid is at least RM1,000 per month.

This is the simplest illustration of the importance of English. The Filipino maids have been reaping the benefits of English while Indonesians are paid substantially lesser and Malaysians are still debating and deliberating learning English as a compulsory pass subject and even in math and science. There is no doubt that English determines the future wages and is important in our daily life... (from a normal work as maid to all other career).

However, it is sceptical that the majority of our students can easily pass English in SPM examination when the percentage of SPM exam failure for Bahasa Malaysia is still alarming although Bahasa Malaysia is our main language that we converse and speak daily.

It is not easy to command any languages especially for passing an examination but we have to start now or otherwise, crudely, soon the Filipino maids will be a part of our middle class population and earn better income than majority of our fellow Malaysians.

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Maid in Malaysia, make in Indonesia

I have had a few maids or house assistants or servants or house keepers or whatever commercial names they are called and all of them were from various parts of Indonesia. They all share similar traits of dishonesty and abuse.... No, not abused by me but they abuse the kindness that was extended.

Grocery bills doubled when they ate quadriple the amount for me but I still thought it was fair since they are expected to work hard. The house phone bill then doubled when they secretly used it for both local and international calls to their so called family members, still i tried to understand them being home-sick. Then Noritake, Royal Albert as well as other fine collections soon slowly dissappear when they broke it while cleaning (though they never admit). The worse moment was when one of the maid poked Aaraf's ear (after shower) until it bled and almost burst his eardrum, that had tested my patient. The latest being the lost of my Rolex and other watches, diamonds and jewelleries. When they were confronted, none of them admitted. We had to search the whole house but all those items remained missing and lost. I cannot charged them or cut their salaries without evident but i did terminate their service and send them back to Indonesia. This is a few of the many other misdeeds suffered with maids.

In the many maids that had been employed, all of them falsified their medical health record and even their real age stating 35 as the age in their passport when the are actual 48 years old. When we sent them back for another medical check up, we discover one of the maid had hepatitis!!!

Despite all that, I never hit, abused or even lifted a finger on any of the maids except for a thunderous scream, which they did fall sick for a few days.

I could not comprehend a worse grievances (to what i had to endure) for any maid to deserve the abuse that Siti Hajar suffered for 3 years (see: the Star). In fact, no human deserves any form of torture for whatever reason.

I am disgusted and felt for Siti. Her 43 year old, single-mother-employer's inhuman behaviour was repulsive and deserve the maximum punishment.

However, the Indonesia embassy, imigration and even their government should and MUST ensure the maids that were allowed to enter Malaysia conformed to certain strict standard quality, aptitude and attributes.

The lack of strict requirement and continuous falsification of information will lead to an influx of incompetent recruitments of maid that will provoked some temperamental employers and lead to unnecessary abuses.


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Bank Negara Malaysia

Bank Negara Malaysia

I arrived early for a meeting with the Bank Negara Malaysia (Central Bank of Malaysia) and was greeted by a friendly lady Mdm Koid Swee Lian at the reception counter. We chatted unofficially at the entrance of Bank Negara Lanai Kijang, approximately 5 minutes away from the Bank Negara head office.

Various marathons and running races that i participated were organised that passed by the road to the Lanai Kijang but i never took notice of this Bank Negara building. We were directed to the staff cafe that is almost as beautiful as a 5 star hotel cafe and was seated at a 12 seater table. Lanai Kijang is residents for Bank Negara training centre that can occupy more than 299 residents.

Shortly after we were seated, three other officials from Bank Negara arrived and we introduced ourselves and it was then that i learn Mdm Koid is the Bank Negara Director of Consumer and Market Conduct. She was very friendly and pleasant that she can be easily mistaken for the receptionist or secretary. Together with Mdm Koid was En Abdul Rasheed Ghafur, Bank Negara Director for Financial Sector Development whom were as friendly as Mdm Koid. En Rasheed explained he purposely chose the staff cafe for a discussion to enable everybody to close rank at a friendlier environement and open up for any ideas and suggestions that is pertinent to the Malaysian public. Which i agree if compared to the serious bored and mono environment of a meeting room. Bank Negara policies are designed for the public and consumer at large, En Rasheed explained which is why Bank Negara want to listen to all the stakeholders view and suggestions.

I was impressed at the 'new' approached by Bank Negara. There was no authoritative arrogance that previously stink the government and authorities which i was prepared for today. We had various interactions and dealing with Bank Negara in the past when the Hire Purchase commission was revoked early in the new millennium.

Bank Negara was further represented by three other deputy Directors Ms Sarina Said from Corporate Communications, Ms Junaidah Mohd Said Financial Sector Development and Ms Lim Hsin Ying (pronounced as 'Singing' according to her) from media and promotions.

We had a good breakfast compliments from Bank Negara and a lengthy discussions on various issues. En Rasheed and Mdm Koid both gave the assurance, today's meeting will be the start and a platform for any feedback or suggestions.

If all Ministries and governmental bodies were to be as pro-active as Bank Negara Malaysia officials today, I believe we can steer ourselves out from the recession and move forward faster than planned. This is indeed the spirit of Malaysia Incorporated, Malaysia Boleh and 1Malaysia.

I look forward to various other collaborations with Bank Negara.


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Math & Science Fried with English Butter or Grilled in Malay Sambal Belancan (PART II)

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I had blogged this topic in December 2008 (PART 1) last year when the topic was widely debated. Now the debate is back as headlines in most medias again 6 months later, presumably due to a new Minister of Education.

Yes, learning Mathematics and Science in English had stirred an endless debate over and over again but when the dust had not settled, the capping of SPM subject was raised to avoid kiasu parents from abusing students with endless tuition and extra classes to achieve 20 'A's.

The debate or discussion for both issues is still on-going and now came into light yet another issue... English as a compulsory SPM pass subject (see:NST)

All these three issues share one similar obstacle which i feel the government is trying to address, the lack of competent teacher population to teach Mathematics and science in English as well as 111 electives for SPM subjects but why raise the English as a compulsory SPM PASS subject now?

The problem with teaching Mathematics and Science in English is less on the children or students capability to adapt. Children adapt better to changes especially during early years. Our main obstacle is in sourcing for capable teachers to teach in English. one of the reason to capped the SPM subjects to a maximum of 10 was also to address the shortage of teachers.

We will face similar issue making English as a compulsory pass subject. Do we have sufficient competent teachers to teach? Our government should be consistent with policies and avoid any flip-flop that we were recently famous for. We even failed with streamlining our own mother tongue with Bahasa Baku under Anwar Ibrahim due to inconsistency in approach.

For now, we should just resolved teaching mathematics and science in English and close the topic. Train our teacher population for better English competency and the English as a compulsory pass subject is a given.

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Valentine Willie an art gallery or political mockery..?

Valentine Willie....

I attended the Valentine Willie launching a dozen years ago when the Art gallery was first open in Bangsar and was impressed with the collections of art exhibited. I am a keen art enthusiast. While browsing the net for news and updates, i came across Valentine Willie on Barking Magpie blog that is in my blogroll.

Although i have not been to the Valentine Willie gallery for quite awhile, I have due respect to the owner whom continuously promote Arts that is still lacking compared to its acceptance in the western region. At a point, i too wanted to open an Art gallery.

When i saw @ barking magpie blog, Valentine Willie displaying the huge art by Fahmi Reza, I was stunned and shocked. Whilst i always kept the impression that Valentine Willie had gained such a reputation, the following display may just illustrate a ploy in desperation.



Although I am an art enthusiast, i do not appreciate and do not see any art in disrecpecting in such a manner our existing Prime Minister whatever the explanation given. I agree with Pasquale (see: BMpie), there is a thin line between an expression of art and exhibiting the smut disguised as an art piece.


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Klang 2009 New Balance Pacer 21km run

THE KLANG NEW BALANCE 21km HALF MARATHON @ SETIA ALAM


I gasped as i approached the drink station at km 15 . I immediately refilled my water bottle before gulping down a cup of water and continued the run. It is almost 2 hours since the race started. Today's race was at a new route and there were less pollution from cars that passed by compared to last year's race route.




I have another 6 km before completing the Klang New Balance pacer 21km race. This route is at a new residential area that borders the Klang and Shah Alam township and didnt have much trees to shelter runners from the sun heat that was felt even before 8am.



I have very low tolerance for heat. We were flag-off at 630am today and i had a good run until the sun sppeared which i immediately felt the sweat gland widens and sweat pouring out and soaking my white running vest. My heart rate climbed up to 162 from the initial 155 beats per minute.


Emi overtook me on the 18th km but we manage to pose first for the album.. 'the excruciating moment under the sun...'


I increased my pace as i saw my polar stopwatch reads 2 hours 31minutes with another 3km to finishing line. i was melting under the heat but I did not want to complete the race in more than 3 hours. Ignoring the high heart rate and the sun, i sprinted the last 3km and completed the race in 2 hours 49minutes.

Happily, i sprinted the last 3km to the finishing line

I was burnt red by the sun heat....

As a reward, we had Nasi Lemak at the nearby stall 'spending' the 2150 calories burnt during the run before going home for a nice cold shower. The best moment after a good long run is to pamper with a Thai Massage at the Touches De Siam before indulging in one of the best clear Tomyam bihun at the Good Evening Bangkok Thai Restaurant, One Utama.


Although 2,150 calories burnt during the race, i am back into fitness overdraft with more than 3,000 calories gained ending the sunday with grilled lamb, fried Phompret and fried bee hoon.



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Mano huru hara Manohara...

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‘One for all and all for one’ or ‘tous pour un, un pour tous’ was a motto lived by three inseparable friends ‘the three musketeers' in an 1844 novel by Alexandre Dumas, pere. There were more than a dozen movies being produced based on the novel but the version in the film ‘The Man in the Iron Mask’ (1998) directed by Randal Wallace was my favourite.

D’Artagnan in the movie ‘the Man in the Iron Mask’ instilled in me the sentiment of loyalty to the King akin of our own Hang Tuah except our Hang Tuah never betrayed the King even when the King ordered for his execution. In 1844 when the novel was first written as well as during Hang Tuah, the undivided pledge of loyalty to the King was the only way to serve the country.

Now, we serve our country as an "Automatic" pledge of loyalty to the King in a democratic government that is based on Constitutional Monarchy and Parliament. Given the 'Automatic' loyalty as a pledge of uundivided loyalty, the Monarchy must be protected and preserved from any mockery and slander. The royal household (Sultan, Tengku Mahkota, Tengku Bendahara, Tengku Temenggong) and any heir line-up to the throne or any members of the Monarch institution should be protected against any mockery and slander  which otherwise is an insult to all Malaysian.

As a Malaysian and a Kelantanese, I am embarass that Tengky Fakry cannot contained whatever domestic issues he has. I am insulted by Manohara's allegations that has not been proven with any medical report . The Indonesia President and Indonesia Foreign Ministry had stood up for Manohara who is the commoner in her country (see: Indon Antara News) but when the 3rd heir line-up to the Kelantan throne was attacked with various allegation, the only remarked made by our Minister was "nobody is above the law" (See: Malay Mail).

There were no official complain (even todate) lodged by Manohara (See: Indon Police) in Malaysia and even in Indonesia except for a foul cry by her 'Wanted by Interpol' mother Daisy Fajarina. If the allegation was true, Manohara would be brought straight to the Hospital upon her arrival in Indonesia to ascertained her health condition. However, Manohara went straight for a Press Conference instead, and is still busy meeting the press instead of undergoing a medical check to prove her allegation (see: Jakarta Post).

I feel insulted reading the allegation made by Manohara that is damaging to Malaysia and our royal household but I feel more disgusted with the Kelantan Palace official Datuk Abdul Halim Hamad official whom were silent until it all explode out of proportion and his subsequent remark that it was a Personal Matter. It is no longer personal when it involved the son of a ruling Monarch with the title Tengku Temenggong that had attracted an international coverage with the involvement of Indonesia President as well as Singapore police (see: Bernama).

Nobody is guilty until otherwise proven. Palace advisors or the state government should obtained an injunction or any means to stop further uncalled press statement by Manohara that is damaging to our royal household and the good bilateral relationship between Malaysia and Indonesia. Without any official police report, medical examination and without any court ruling, whatever has been said is slander and is an insult to Malaysia, Malaysians and our Monarch. Perhaps there is some truth in my father belief that there are no more wise men left in kelantan (see: Pahamin).

In the spirit of 'One for All and All for One', the Royal household, Malaysians and our elected politicians should stand together and seek Manohara to PROVE whatever the allegations made and claimed through an independant judicial legal process or otherwise just SHUT UP.

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10 or 20 Kiasu subjects of SPM?

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Once, a Sijil Rendah Pelajaran (SRP) graduate can command a respectable career in the market and there were very few graduates of Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM). Currently, everybody is at least a Bachelor degree graduates with the majority already holding a Master degree. It is safe to say that a degree is the least that anyone should possess for a reasonable career today.

However, the cost of higher education post-SPM is exorbitant. The total cost per student for a combined A’level (or equivalent) and an undergraduate studies costs in the United Kingdom, Australia and United States of America universities is in excess of RM250,000 (based on scholarship offered-depending on currency fluctuation). The total cost post-SPM studies for degree in Malaysia is approximately RM70,000 (based on PTPTN). My brother in law Rhiza left yesterday for a short 3 weeks course at the Harvard University business school in America for a cost of RM50,000 in fee (no scholarship) but the truth is, the best university will cost the most.

The competitiveness for securing a well-remunerated future employment demands our children to graduate from respectable universities and the high cost of education created the unhealthy competition to acquire 20As for SPM. Unlike historically, when an SPM graduate can even become a Bank officer, the 20’A’ achievers today, cannot even secure employment as a civil servant (without higher education).

The race to get 20 ‘A’s was primarily to secure a scholarship. Capping the exam subjects to only 10 at the most, will not resolve the exorbitant expenses for higher education. The chances for a non-bumiputra to secure a scholarship with 10As were lower compared to the Malay. Henceforth the need for the ‘kiasu’ competitive parent to pressure their children for 20 ‘A’s, that eventually snowball to the current predicament.

The 10 subjects capping for SPM will be favourable if all students whom scored 10 ‘A’s are guaranteed full scholarship and local university placement. The qualification for studying abroad should be based on the best in overall exam result and co-curricular achievements akin of prominent university shortlisting of applications.

Students only require a minimum 4 General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE or SPM equivalent) subjects to pursue an A' level course in the United Kingdom. The minimum requirement to be accepted into an average top 15 United Kingdom universities are also a minimum of 4 subjects in GCSE (SPM equivalent) and 2 A' levels (See: BCU) . A better university will require a minimum of 5 GCSE subjects and only 2 A'levels (see: Kent). Students that possess more subjects and better score will have an added advantage when the University or colleges had to shortlist from the many applications.

The 10 maximum subject capping for SPM is redundant for eligibility into established universities in the United Kingdom and does not warrant a lengthy discussions especially when only 10% of the total students are involved. Our main issue is the SCHOLARSHIPS, GRANTS, LOAN or financial assistant for the high cost of tertiary education AND the extensive option of 111 elective (ref: Star) for SPM subjects.

Reduce the elective choices of subjects and provide a clearer guideline for scholarships or funds that qualify 10 'A's students with an excellent co-curricular achievement to be eligible for scholarship/funds and we will achieve similar result without the need for capping or regulation.

Nonetheless, the scarcity or lack of available teachers will not be resolved with 111 elective, even with the capping of 10 'A's.





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Ah Long oh Along.....

In temperament, torture will be an understatement and perhaps I will start cutting people who owed me money too but fortunately, I was raised with my father’s strong principle that forbid me to borrow money (from anybody including relatives or siblings) as well as forbid me to lend (whatever the amount). I was almost beaten up when my father discovered I borrow RM1 from a friend during primary school. Similarly, I can still hear my father’s scream when he discovered I lend money to a best friend during high school. When he was sober from screaming, he rationalized and told me, if I ever had extra savings and if anybody was in need, then I should just give whatever amount that i can afford to help (without expecting him to pay back) but i should never lend (or borrow!). Money can break family or any friendship, my father reminded. This principle had distant a few friends whom were not able to accept but it kept many other friends closer to me. As a result, I had to work akin of Bangla worker as a cleaner at Tesco during my undergraduate studies in England when the STR291 MARA scholarship per month can only feed me for 2 weeks (after paying STR240 for rental). I never borrowed money from friends and I was too embarrassed to ask money from my parent.

Ah long or previously, popularly known as CETI in business is as old as prostitution, drugs and corruption that existed even before Malaysia was proclaimed Merdeka. Various attempts had been launched by the government to eradicate the vice. Millions were spend on aggressive Anti-Drug, Anti Corruption campaign to educate the public and destroy the vice network with the involvement of federal & state government machineries, Ministry of Home Affair, police and various governmental department and organisations as well as NGOs.

Despite the effort and the endless campaigns, the industry of prostitution, drugs and corruption are still rampant and growing at a faster rate compared to other sectors in Malaysia. There had never been an Anti-Ah long campaign launched although that too would have been futile given our track record spending millions of tax payer’s money without success. However, unlike other vices, the Moneylenders Act 1951 (Amendment 2003) was introduced instead to legalize the Ah long’s activities. There was a debate if drugs and prostitution too should be legalized similar to Amsterdam but of course, the majority opposed on moral ground.

All the vices; prostitutions, drugs, corruptions and ah long share similar endless demand and will continue to grow albeit any recessions or downturn. It is not easy to curb, let alone eradicate corruptions, drugs and prostitutions. Ah long rides and grow on our stringent banking system for loan approval especially with the ever-increasing bankrupt population and stringent access to legal money resources. Public who were blacklisted because of 3x bounced cheque issuance are also blacklisted from legal means of borrowings. Of course, gambling activities too provide avenues and additional market for the Ah long.

During recession, our current economy is a good example, even the Bank’s non-performing loan (NPL) rate had increased and bank became more stringent with new loan approval. Generalising from the 60% rejection for new hire-purchase loan submission (which was otherwise amongst the easiest loan for approval), we can only imagine the general public’s burden with getting their loan approved without collateral or with a poor historical financial track record. Banks now exercise a credit worthiness points (or risk scoring point) and automatically reject loans that failed the credit risk scoring. The more loans rejected, the bigger the market population for the Ah Long. Banks are stringent because of the KPI introduced by our Bank Negara.

Unlike Banks that can write-off their bad debts (at the expense of their managers losing the annual bonus) or their provision for bad debts and uncollected debts, Ah long are less forgiving. I have also seen friends who beat up their siblings for money owed. Naturally, as a figure of speech, I too would start cutting people who owed me money. The truth is, we, created this Ah Long by easily bankrupting our own people (including the guarantors), creating various stringent requirements for loan applications and especially by legalising the Ah long’s activities. The recent exposed ‘prison’ and torture (see: Star) by Ah long to those who cannot re-pay their debts is inhuman but who is there to supervise and monitor the Ah long's NPL and guarantee their bad debts? Or act as the white knight to salvage them from bankruptcy similar to ailing banks during 1998 recessions.

Bank Negara KPI to banks, Gambling Act, The Bankruptcy Act, The Moneylenders Act and the Guarantors Act should all be reviewed. There must be a second life for bankrupt population. Being blacklisted by banks and a bankrupt is a life-imprisonment and is as inhuman as the torture by Ahlong. In fact, it created the market for Ahlong. Ah Long should be illegalised, completely eradicated and live as Ceti with umbrella collecting debts in P. Ramlee movies. With the review of the respective statutory acts, Banks will be less prejudice and friendlier. If we do not help the unfortunate people in this segment, who will? ……..Micheal Chong alone?

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A muslim country that must be halal'rize?

Islam by Federal constitution (Article 3) is without doubt the official religion of Malaysia although they have been much debate whether Malaysia is actually an Islamic state secular or otherwise. I have my own interpretation of Article 3 and disagree with Tommy Thomas, Advocate & solicitor whom declared Malaysia as a non-Islamic state in his paper delivered at the 13th Malaysian Law Conference in 2005. However, my interpretation and personal thought is less relevant to today's blog topic especially since the Article 3 has no direct or indirect effect to the public mass except to some unscrupulous lawyers and politicians.

What is relevant is that Islam is the official religion in Malaysia. Yesterday, 28 May 2008 article in the Star revealed nearly 50,000 non-Muslim outlets throughout the country paid as much as RM5,000 for a halal certificate that was not recognised by Jakim. The actual cost for halal certificate (if complied) is only RM100 (see: rate)

The Muslims comprised the majority of the population, thus surely, the false halal certification is in high demand amongst the problematic restaurant operators who failed to adhere to Jakim’s stipulated regulations and procedures.

What disturbed me.... why does Muslims or non-Muslim companies or restaurants in Malaysia requires or need to register for a halal certification when Islam is the official religion in Malaysia. I understand the need for the halal certification for export purposes but for domestic certification especially when Islam is the official religion?

The non-Muslim can consume all the ingredients that constitute a halal food (please correct me if i am wrong) except for Hindu and Buddhist that cannot consume anything that contained beef. If there is any certification that is required in Malaysia, it should be a NON-HALAL certification instead of halal especially when there are more halal outlets than the non-halal; henceforth, the non-halal certification will not burden the majority operators.

Since Islam is the official religion of Malaysia, all outlets should be deemed as 'halal' without any doubt unless otherwise registered and stated. Our government should ensure only halal imported products are allowed and produced (by both Muslims or non-Muslims) in Malaysia and those non-halal products are imported or produced only by the registered Non-Halal companies to be sold at the registered Non-Halal outlets akin of supermarket selling pork at the non-halal counter. Nonetheless, the government is the issuer of all license and permits for import, export , food factories and even local farm and slaughter houses as well as all farms.

Muslims certifying and paying for certification to label their outlets as halal is insane similarly, non-Muslim paying RM5,000 for an otherwise fee of Rm100 is absurd. It would be easier for non-muslim to register their outlets as non-halal without having to pay (RM5,000) for unnecessary compliance. The muslims can then avoid eating at the non-halal registered outlets and eat anywhere else without having any doubts on its halal status.

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When life has no insurance.....

I sat stressfully at my office buried in piles of paper work and reviewing the endless schedules of meeting when i received a Skype message from my sister Emi. It was merely a reminder for me to attend a medical check up for an insurance policy. I have been ignoring emails and sms's from Mahadi, CIMB Wealth Advisers whom has been pestering and reminding me to go for medical check-up for a life insurance plan that my mother is subscribing for all her children.

I ignored the various requests for medical check up because i knew what the outcome will be. Since 1997, I had underwent various medical check up for all form of life insurance packages or life insurance related saving plans. I had submitted to almost all the insurance companies and had lost tracked of the many proposals submitted (since 1997) i have tried all... you name it... Prudential, AmAssurance, AIA, public and MNI. I gave up applying and attending to any life insurance agents or the now commercially known as wealth advisers.

In 2005, a childhood friend, Al Jazzura previously from MNI, approached me and proposed a life insurance savings plan...... again I thought, but he was very persistent and insistent. Being an old friend, I could not say no.... especially after his assurances ..... He even brought his boss or was it his partner.. that they will speak to their underwriter to lobby for my policy.

He too failed. The policy was rejected and i gave up completely. Since then, anybody from any life insurance or so called wealth advisers whom contacted me... i would just denote, "Don't waste both yours and my time... unless, you can 'guarantee' that you can get my insurance plan approved!".

All except for a few insurance companies rejected my applications for any life insurance related plans. The few that did not reject, imposed a ridiculous high loading for the premium to pay akin of a more polite way of rejection.

When Emi reminded me of the medical check-up requirement, I practically told her it will be a waste of time and money but since Emi was the donor for my bone marrow transplant and being the darling brother that i am, i indulged in her and did my medical check up.

Two weeks later, i received an email informing me the insurance plan was rejected!

The concept of Life Insurance is NOT to provide an umbrella for rainy days. The concept of life insurance was for the insurance company to simply multiply the money paid by the customer from the premium and pray hard (via the underwriter's calculated risk) that you wont fall sick before they triple your money and make more money for themselves... and pay you back in 40 years.

However, if you do fall sick, to the insurance company's dismay, you will benefit from the coverage.

If you ever have the chance to buy life insurance (or life insurance saving plans), signed up now... before its too late... once you are ME.. although it has been 20 years since i was diagnosed to have Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia and although i am cured, I will NEVER be able to get any life insurance coverage.

NO.. I AM NOT A LIFE INSURANCE AGENT OR A 'FINANCIAL WEALTH ADVISOR'.

I was fortunate to be diagnosed with leukaemia before my 18th birthday, hence, the Malaysia government bear the medical expenses (for leukaemia and the Bone marrow transplant) because my father was a loyal government servant... otherwise, we may have to auction our home, car and utilised all savings just for me to undergo the Bone Marrow transplant. The cost of the Bone marrow transplant operation was closed to RM300,000.00. In 1990, the Bone Marrow Transplant surgery was not available in Malaysia.

Ironically, the majority of Malaysian still do not have any insurance planning for their future. I urge everybody to seriously consider some form of life insurance or savings plan before its too late................



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The Chronicle of Malaysian Automotive Industry

The Chronicle of Malaysian Automotive Industry

I was first exposed to the automotive industry during my tenure with the Commerce International Merchant Bankers Berhad (CIMB) in 1995. I was in Corporate Finance and had to write various sectoral studies amongst thick full of other documentations for submissions to the Securities Commission for various companies undertaking mergers & acquisition and IPOs. Those companies in my portfolio were mostly in automotive... probably the reason being why i am still passionate about the automotive industry 15 years later.

I summarised as follows the evolution of the automotive industry in Malaysia that will probably answer various public critics (in cyber space or the media) in my call to de-regulate the hire-purchase commission, de-regulate the fix motor tariff as well as the establishment of an AUTOMOTIVE COUNCIL as the custodian to the automotive eco-system.

The automotive eco system should be defined as all relevant sectors that is instrumental to the the stability of the automotive industry, such as the automotive manufacturers, assemblers, suppliers, vendors, distributors, dealers, banking institutions and insurance institutions.

The Chronicle

1963- Malaysia began to encourage the establishment of the automotive industry based on recommendations of the Colombo Plan

1964- Policy of encouraging the assembly of automobiles and the manufacture of components parts was announced

1967- Government approved the operation of six (6) assembly plants mainly joint venture projects between European automobile manufacturers and local partners

1982- Cabinet approved the National Car project

1983- Heavy Industry Corporation of Malaysia (HICOM) signed an agreement with Mitsubishi Corporation to manufacture Malaysia national car

1984- Launch of National Car Project- Perusahaan Otomobil Nasional (Proton) to increase level of technology and develoment of intellectual property in the automotive industry. In line with the national car project, Malaysia Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) determine the Nett Selling Price (NSP) of BOTH national and foreign cars.

1985- Production of 1st national car Proton Saga began. MITI approved the NSP taking into consideration various factors including the income (1) received from previously Hire-Purchase Commission (now replaced by Handling Fees) paid by banks to the car distributors and dealers as the intermediary between the customers and banks; (2) insurance commission received (Insurance agent commission was 25% of premium paid. The participation of Bank & financial institutions and Insurance companies supported and ensure the viability of the newly-born national car project.

1992- Perusahaan Otomobil kedua (PERODUA) was established primarily to complement Proton and expand local automotive product range (supplying smaller and more affordable vehicles) as well as support the vendor for component and parts manufacturing.

Both Proton and Perodua are now in direct competition in the same market segment and had driftered away from the objectives of the 1st and 2nd national car project.

1996- The Insurance Act 1966 superceded the Insurance Act 1963. Agency commission is now revised to a fix 10%.

The support by via the insurance agency commission that determined the low NSP for the national car project was ignored.

1997- Hire-puchase commission and additional incentives for salesmen paid by banks were abused and offered for all car make & models (not restricted to proton).

2000- Bank Negara Malaysia revoked the hire-puchase commission after being proposed by the association of finance companies/Banks. Bank Negara Malaysia introduced handling fees with effect from 13 July 2000 after various appealed by PEDA, EDAM and PDA. The handling fees is regulated with a maximum ceiling.

The hire-purchased commission was revoked without any reference to the NSP that was kept low (by MITI) to ensure the viability of the national car project. In year 2000- the NSP was still determined by MITI.

2003- MITI no longer determined the NSP and only acknowledge and monitors the price set by the car manufacturers. The Policy change was to aid liberalisatoin and development of the automotive industry in Malaysia.

2004- Influx and abused of Authorised Permits (APs) and under-declared imported cars. Malaysian public was cheated of billions in taxes and import duties. There were many duplications of resources from the under-utilised assembly to manufacturing plants (approved by MITI).

This had drastically and substantially affected the national car project project.

2005- Announcement and launching of the Malaysia National Automotive Policy.

The NAP was constructed and launched by the previous 4th floor (was not even launched by any Minister), with negligible consultation with any stakeholders in the automotive eco-system.

2009- Proposal by PIAM and approved by Bank Negara Malaysia for Motor Insurance mandatory direct commission rebate to customers.

If the move was proposed and approved for the benefits of Malaysians then PIAM and Bank Negara should de-regulate the current tariff instead. Malaysia will benefit better from a de-tariff or variable tariff similar to other neighbouring and developed countries. Currently, low risk customer such as female car owners are being discriminated and are paying hefty premium similar to the high risk customers.

Sadly, there is no 'Driver' and/or custodian for the automotive eco system although the automotive industry was earmarked to boost the industrialization process to enable Malaysia to be a developed nation by the year 2020 (Ref: here).

Bank Negara Malaysia, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of International Trade & Industry, PIAM (General Insurance Association of Malaysia), Association of Banks, Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affiar have all proposed, implemented, revised and introduced policies and instructions that will be instrumental to the downfall of automotive industry and its eco system in Malaysia. Without a custodian or a statutory body to drive and spearhead the automotive in Malaysia, there will be more adverse policies being introduced by different Ministries and statutory bodies.

The national car project, the automotive industry as well as various government policies introduced, must be rationalise, consolidate and review under a statutory body, the proposed MALAYSIAN AUTOMOTIVE COUNCIL. A rationalisation of the many automotive assembly and manufacturing plants and a more structured eco system could provide better stability to the automotive industry.

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